Tokyo: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Shibuya & Kanmangafuchi Abyss — Guide Masa

Title: What Is a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Nikko Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Both worked in fields related to healthcare, and both were very interested in Japanese history and culture. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led this private one-day tour of Nikko.

Two weeks earlier, they had arrived in Japan and joined a group tour of about 20 people, visiting various parts of the country (Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Sendai, Matsushima, Oirase Gorge, and others). After that, on a friend's recommendation, they said they really wanted to visit Nikko, which led to today's trip. They plan to return home by air from Haneda tomorrow.

It was a pleasant tour under clear, comfortable weather.

We departed from a hotel in Shibuya. In the car, I explained topics such as "the origins and history of Nikko," "Japan's Edo period, including the Edo period and Tokugawa Ieyasu," and "the five highways and the sankin-kotai system of alternate attendance."

We passed through the Irohazaka winding road and first headed to Lake Chuzenji. We took a short break at a cafe near the entrance (there was a request for a light bite since they had not had breakfast at the hotel). I explained that Nikko has been a summer retreat both in the past and today.

We moved on to Kegon Falls. There were few tourists around, and the volume of water flowing down was extremely low, so it lacked its usual power. One of the guests took many photos.

From there, we went into the city of Nikko. First, we visited Futarasan Shrine, where I again explained the origins and history of Nikko. We walked to Toshogu Shrine. Despite it being a weekday, this area was quite crowded with group visitors from abroad and students on school trips. We toured the Yomeimon Gate, the main hall, the crying dragon, and other sights in turn. The "three wise monkeys" and the "sleeping cat" seemed to be favorites, and the guests took their time photographing them. They mentioned they had heard about the "three wise monkeys" beforehand, and had also heard about the "sleeping cat" beforehand. They purchased a large number of amulets as gifts for their grandchildren.

We walked around Rinnoji Temple. A goma fire ritual was being performed, and we observed it for a while. I explained topics such as "Buddhism" and "Buddhism and Shinto." At Rinnoji, they admired the Japanese garden and took photos at a leisurely pace.

From there, they wanted lunch, so we went to a restaurant in front of the Shinkyo Bridge. They enjoyed soba and tempura.

We moved to the Shinkyo Bridge and took photos here and there at a relaxed pace. From there, we went to Kanmangafuchi Abyss and strolled slowly. There were many questions about the Jizo statues.

On the way back, in the car there were many questions about "the succession of shoguns from the Kamakura period" and "Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and others."

There were also comments and questions such as: "Everywhere in Japan, the towns are clean and there is no litter." "The public restrooms are clean." "There are no trash cans on the streets. Why?" "Everyone is quiet on the trains."

We saw them off at their hotel and parted ways.

Click here for more details: Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo by Private Car with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Masa

Guiding career:
Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
Self-introduction:
In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
I am a certified CPA in the United States.
In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.